Pumping mechanism for vacuum-cleaners.



A. J. FAUCHER.. PUMPING MECHANISM FOR VACUUM CLEANERS.

APPLICATION man DEC. 31. 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A J Faucher' ATTORNEYS m: NORRIS PETERS ca. mumumo WASHING mu. :2. c

Patented Jan. 16, 1917.

ANDREW J'. FAUCHER,

0F WICHITA, KANSAS.

PUMPING MECHANISM FOR VACUUM-CLEANERS.

Application filed December 31, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, ANDREW J. FAUornm, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Wichita, in the county of Sedgwick and State of Kansas, have invented a new and Improved Pumping Mechanism for Vacuum-Cleaners, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to a vacuum cleaner adapted to be operated in a stationary position and connected by a flexible hose with a suction nozzle, which is adapted to be moved about over the surface or surfaces to be cleaned.

An object of the invention is to provide manually operated pneumatics so arranged as to enable the same to be operated with a minimum effort on the part of the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a seat structure for the operator which may be folded into a small compass when the apparatus is not in use.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be understood from the specific description following.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vac uum cleaner embodying my invention, showing the same set up for operation; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the seat structure folded; Fig. 8 is a detail horizontal section on the line 33, Fig. 1; Fig. a is a vertical section on the line 2%, Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 55, Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 66, Fig. 5.

In constructing a practical embodiment of my invention, a suitable base 10 is provided on which is a dust box 11, to which a hose 12 is attached carrying any suitable suction head or nozzle 13.

In practice, bellows 1e are provided in suitable number to induce suction in the box 11, there being two bellows shown in the present example, disposed, one each side of the dust box. The bellows includes a bottom or fixed leaf 15 and an upper movable leaf 16, the latter having a rubber or other suitable covering 17 to provide a renewable wear surface, which, preferably, is roughened.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 16, 1917.

Serial No. 69,663.

The bellows are operated by the feet of a person seated on a structure 18, hereinafter described, so that the operator may alternately depress the bellows 14.

To couple the bellows and cause the same to open and close alternately, levers 19 are fulcrumed between the ends thereof on brackets 20, which are secured to the front and back of the dust box 11, and the outer ends of the levers, which are arranged in pairs at the front and back of the dust box, are pivotally connected to angle irons 21 on the movable leaves 16 of the bellows. The seat structure comprises articulated standards including fixed lower sections 22 and upper sections 23 pivoted to the upper ends of the sections 22 as at; 24 and preferably connected by a suitable cross bar 23". The standards support a seat structure, designated generally, by the numeral 25, and hereinafter described. In connection with the standards, folding braces are employed including lower sections 26 pivoted to the base 10 as at 26 and upper sections 27 pivoted as at 27 to the standard sections 23, the brace sections, 26, 27, being pivota'lly united as at 28. The braces range oblique to the base 10 and the articulated standards and follow the folding movements of the said standards. To hold the standards and braces firmly, when the seat is raised for use, latches 29 are pivoted as at 30 to the fixed standard sections 22 and are adapted at their free ends to hook over pins or studs 31 on the lower brace sections 26.

The seat structure 25 is adjustable verti cally on the standards 23 and may, in practice, comprise side posts 32 supporting the seat proper 33, and upper and lower cross boards or bars 3 1-, 35. The posts 32, are boxlike in cross section and are slidably received on the'uppe'r ends of the standard sections 23. To secure the seat structure 25 in adusted position bolts 36 are employed, having winged nuts 37, or the like, said boltsexloo tending through vertical slots 38 in the standards 22. i I

With the described folding. structure not, only may the seat be adjusted to different. 1

heights to suit a particular operator but the 105,

seat may be lowered and the pivoted stand ard sections swung downward over the dust box and bellows. The folding braces, 26, 27,

-when the latches 29 are disengaged therefrom, will follow the movements of the fold- 110 40. Said cover may be secured in position by a clip ll on the dust box at one end and a spring catch 4L1 at the other end for the ready placing and removal of the filter bag.

In the example shown, each bellows 14. has its suction opening d2 controlled by a valve 43, said openings communicating with the air outlet 44: of the dust box 11 through a suitable passage which may be formed by a flanged plate or box 4:5. The outlet openings to of the bellows 1a are commanded by valves 47. To connect the hose 12 a neck or a nipple 48 is provided on the box 11.

\Vhen folded the machine will occupy the minimum space and be unobtrusive, and when required for use it may be very quickly and conveniently set up in erect form.

It is to be observed that when the adjustable seat portion 25 is lowered on the standard sections 23 and said standard sections, with the articulated braces, swung to the lowered position, as in Fig. 2, the dust box supports the seat structure, thereby relieving the pivots of the standards and braces from strain. Also, by supporting the seat structure on the dust box the seat structure ismaintai'ned out of damaging contact with the bellows and their levers.

Having thus described my invention I 7 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A vacuum cleanerrincluding a base, pneumatics at the sides of the base, an intake chamber between the pneumatics and rising above the same, levers connecting the pneumatics, said levers being fulcrumed at the front and back of the intake chamber "and disposed below the top of the latter,

and a foldable seat structure on the base adapted to be raised to an erect position so that the feet of an operator may rest on the bellows and operate the same, the intake chamber'being adapted to support the seat structure in the lowered position.

' folding seat structure adapted to be lowered, when not in use, to a position resting on top of the intake chamber and adapted to be raised to an erect position for the operator to reston the seat whereby the feet of the operator may be placed on the pneumatics to operate the same.

3. A vacuum cleaner, including a base, an intake chamber on the base, foot-operated pneumatics on the base below the intake chamber, and a folding seat structure to seat an operator for the operation of the pneumatics by the feet of the operator, said seat structure having a vertically adjustable upper portion and being foldable downward to brin the lower adjustable portion of the seat structure to rest on the intake chamber.

T. A vacuum cleaner including a base, foot-operated pneumatics, and a seat structure on the base, the said seat structure being foldable to a lowered position over the pneumatics or to an erect position to seat an operator and permit the operation of the pneumatics by the feet of the operator.

5. A vacuum cleaner including a base, pneumatics on the base, adapted to be operated by the feet of an operator, and a seat structure foldable to a lowered position above the pneumatics or to an erect position to dispose the feet of the operator for operating the pneumatics, said seat structure comprising standard sections in fixed relation to the base, upper standard sections pivoted to the fixed sections and carrying the seat, and b 'aces composed of upper and lower sections pivoted to each other, the lower sections being pivoted at their lower ends to the base and the upper sections being pivoted at their upper ends to the pivoted standard sections.

(3. A vacuum cleaner including a base, pneumatics on the base, adapted to be operated by the feet of an operator, and a seat structure foldable to a lowered position above the pneumatics or to an erect position to dispose the feet of the operator for operating the pneumatics, said seat structure comprising standard sections in fixed relation to the base, upper standard sections pivoted to the fixed sections and carrying the seat, and braces composed of upper and lower sections pivoted to each other, the lower sections being pivoted at their lower ends to the base and the upper sections being pivoted at their upper ends to the pivoted standard sections; together with latches pivoted to the fixed standard sections and adapted to detachably engage the lower brace sections.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ANDREXV J. FAU CHER. lVitnesses H. R. JoHNsroN, WV. R. DULANEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained forfive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' 7 Washington, D. O.

lOO 

